Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-06-14
ENGLISH POLITICS,
The House of Commons Resumes the
Discussion of the Clauses of the Coer.
cion BilI-Fowler's Amendment TO the
Fifth Clause Defeated.
LONDON. ,Iuna l2

LONDON, June Is.
The House of Commons this evening re.
sumed debate on the coercion bill taking up
the fifth clause which deals with the pro-
claiming of districts.
Henry Fowler, liberal. proposed as an
amendment that the proclamation be made
oy order OF the privy council instead of by
the viceroy.
Balfour, chief secretary for ireland, re-
fused to accept the amendment. He remind.
ed the House that the government collective
iy we're responsible for every act OF the Irish
executive.
Messrs. Healy. Mcneil, Clancy and Dillon.
Nstionalists, sccessively supported the
amendment
Gladstone suggested that the members
should not spend any more of the short time
at their command in futile discussion. 1t
would be better, he said. to employ the re-
naming time in discussing the weiyhtier
points.
Smith was anxious to allow reasonable
time tor the discussion of the substantial
questions and hoped that the opposition
would assist the government in this discre-
ton.
Fowler offered to withdraw the amend
ment.
Dillon protested.
Morley said he was sure that Gladstone
had hot meant to suggest that the opposition
assist in limiting the debate in accordance
with the governments ideas,
The amendment was put to division and
rejected by vote of 235 to l67.
Doherty moved al amendment that the
proclamations be issued only on the report of
the judge of the hign court after local in
quiry.
Holmes, Irish attorney general, opposed
the amendment on the ground that it was not
advisable to remove any responsibility from
the executive
Clancy said that the government would
have been more candid ifthey had given as a
reason for the opposition to the amendment
their desire to retain for political purposes
the power of proclaiming districts.
The amendment was rejected by a vote of
POP to l26.
Shaw-Lefevre moved an amendment limit
ing the authority of the vicerlng in proclaim
| ing districts where it might be necessary for
the prevention OF crime and outrage, and ap-
pealed to the government to assent to the
alteration which he said would bring the
House in accord with the act of 1882.
Sir r. f. Webster, attorney general, said
it was refreshing to hear ShawLefevre de-
Tending the act of 1882. The amendment
Morley said he had never heard more
ludicrous reason given for the omission OF
important limitation.
Bradlaugh suggested to meet the views of
the government and that the words land
punishment" be added to the amendment af-
ter the word prevention"
Balfour announced that the government
accepted the amendment with Bradlaugh's
modification.
The government accepted the amendment
offered by Fowler, making the procama-
tions subject to the vote of either of the
Houses of Parliament.
After several other amendments were re-
jected Attorney General Holmes moved to
amend the clause by making summary juris-
diction and change of venure apply to crimes
committed before the issue of the proclama-
ton if such crimes be committed after the
passing of the act.
Healy said he considered the proposal a
breach of faith, made in order to occupy the
little time left for discussion.
The amendment was carried by vote OF
227 to ll3.